The Sharks have just announced that Pat Lambie will captain the side during 2017′s Super Rugby campaign.

It’s a move that’s as sensible as it is expected – and our only hope for the Sharks playmaker is that the same “captaincy curse” that saw him struck down with injury during pre-season last year does not come to pass again. One feels that the Sharks took a real step back last year when they lost Lambie, with Beast Mtawarira never looking comfortable as a stand-in leader.

The past is the past, though and while other candidates like Keegan Daniel and Philip van der Walt will, I’m sure, wear the armband at times over the campaign, to me it makes perfect sense to entrust Lambie with the overall leadership duties. “Pat’s talent, temperament and outstanding character makes him an automatic choice,” said coach Rob du Preez of the appointment, adding “he’s a natural leader, who provides great inspiration and motivation for our young players and he has all the qualities needed to be a great captain.

“He has supported this team all his life and understands our unique culture, which has been built on the emphasis of a strong work ethic. Pat puts in the hard yards, leads by example and he has the respect and backing of everyone around him.”

Congrats, Patrick, but as you well know, this is more about hard work than recognition, especially at the start of a campaign. We wish you good health and much luck as you take us forward.

52 Comments

No surprise really. Rob, check the first sentence of the 2nd paragraph. I don’t think that was you’re intention.

Comment 3, posted at 24.01.17 10:36:55 by Pokkel

Sensible and fairly obvious decision. Hope they surround him with a good leadership group

Comment 4, posted at 24.01.17 10:38:40 by SheldonK

@Pokkel (Comment 3) : thanks! Of course…. I got sidetracked while I was typing it.

Comment 5, posted at 24.01.17 10:44:54 by robdylan

@Dragnipur (Comment 1) : I hope so too, then we could actually eventually see what he can do.
I wish he never got injured when JW was coach, he seemed to get back to his “pro” self.

Comment 6, posted at 24.01.17 10:49:39 by Uli Boelie

This will be a big season for Pat to see if he can perform like we know he can after his head injury. The experts told him he’s good to go but I still think it’s risky to play after such a serious injury. Good luck to Pat and may he and the rest of the squad stay injury free!

I was not impressed by Beast as captain at all, Pat is a much better choice, I just hope that doesn’t hinder the chances of giving some game time to our other FH’s as we need to prepare quality depth in that position. Inny/April need to get some time under the belt.

Wishing Pat a successful full season with Sharks. All the best. Go it for boys. Was looking at the pic’s of the guys, they look lean.

Comment 10, posted at 24.01.17 11:48:21 by GreatSharksays

Any news on where they will play the Sharks/Cheetahs pre season game? Last i heard it could be Kwamashu or Clermont?

Comment 11, posted at 24.01.17 13:04:22 by SheldonK

I agree completely that Pat is the right choice, but I think many of you are being very harsh on Beast. He was never a captain as a professional and was thrust into the position. He served the Sharks as he has for many years with dedication and intensity, he just had no captaincy background. Let’s also not forget that he led the Sharks to a playoff spot, despite the more difficult conference, terrible travel schedule, etc.I am not saying Beast should be captain, but we should respect the fill in job he did, remember as bad as last season was, we still made the playoffs (with the noose of GG hanging over us). Thanks Beast for all you have done for our beloved Sharks.

Comment 12, posted at 24.01.17 15:14:04 by Dancing Bear

@Dancing Bear (Comment 12) : And to Pat, just as dedicated to Sharks Rugby, go get them son, you are a leader of men, and have all it takes to take our Sharks all the way.

Comment 13, posted at 24.01.17 15:15:02 by Dancing Bear

@Dancing Bear (Comment 12) : I dont think people are criticising Beast the player at all, actually think he had a pretty good playing year last year even amongst the chaos. Being critical of his captaincy is valid in my opinion as he wasnt good at that as many would agree. Still a good player, probably a better player when not capt and not carrying as many kgs.

Comment 14, posted at 24.01.17 15:18:01 by SheldonK

@SheldonK (Comment 14) : I didn’t say that, I said people were slagging his captaincy, but even with his “horrible” captaincy, he still led the Sharks to an unexpected playoff spot despite all that was “going against the Sharks”. He should be credited with that. Still not saying he is a better choice than Pat, clearly Lambie is the correct choice, but Beast did a lot better as captain than he is getting credit for. Not perfect, plenty of mistakes, but with his leadership, the Sharks overcame the odds and made the playoffs. Surely he should get credit for this?

Comment 15, posted at 24.01.17 15:28:26 by Dancing Bear

@Dancing Bear (Comment 15) : I do get what you are saying. But for me he was a horrible captain and the fact we made the playoffs, and luckily at that, was more inspite of his captaincy than because of it. So for me playing wise he was good, but judging just his captaining it was really not good, no way around it. So yes as you say Pat is a good choice, but he needs the senior players to also put up their hands and be leaders on the field.

Comment 16, posted at 24.01.17 15:43:49 by SheldonK

@SheldonK (Comment 16) : So what is your opinion on why the Sharks enjoyed any success last year? Clearly it was not Gold (he has been shredded here since taking on the job), was it the assistant coaches? Or perhaps Beast was not quite as bad a captain as you make out. We have no idea what kind of leadership he exhibited behind the scenes. Sure he made mistakes on the pitch, but just maybe he was able to get the team motivated despite all the issues and injuries behind the scenes. Just a thought.

Comment 17, posted at 24.01.17 17:58:03 by Dancing Bear

@Dancing Bear (Comment 17) : I think what Sheldon is referring to is the manner in which Beast spoke to the refs and his attitude towards their decisions. That didn’t set a good example for the players at all, yes he’s wearing his heart on his sleeve by defending them, but you have to respect the referees decisions in the professional game. Other than that, he did well with the team.

Comment 18, posted at 24.01.17 19:40:58 by Quintin

@Quintin (Comment 18) : That is exactly what I was saying. I referred to his “mistakes on the pitch” but said he did well motivating the team behind the scenes. My opinion anyway.

Comment 19, posted at 24.01.17 21:48:13 by Dancing Bear

@Dancing Bear (Comment 19) : Mistakes on the pitch as a captain. He mostly played very well.

Comment 20, posted at 25.01.17 02:31:00 by Dancing Bear

I don’t think beast minds at all he tried it once and it didn’t work. Besides on a positional level he has a lot if ground to make up without the pressure of captaincy. He is far from the Plumtree beast we know.

Comment 21, posted at 25.01.17 06:38:15 by coolfusion

@SheldonK (Comment 11) : I’m still hoping for Welkom!?!?!? I will do a full match report and interviews and photos for the site!

Comment 22, posted at 25.01.17 07:05:22 by JD

@Dancing Bear (Comment 17) : I think being critical of the captaincy we actually we saw from Beast is fully justified. And t be honest the Sharks got results last year in spite of their performances. I thought for majority of the year they were pretty mediocre bordering on bad. There definitely werent good team performances but rather a few good individual performances that got us a few results. If we attribute a few wins to the captain then he should also take the flak for all the losses, so for me personally i dont put that on the captain either way. As i said he is a great guy, probably had his best playing year in a while…but isnt a good captain.

Comment 23, posted at 25.01.17 08:00:51 by SheldonK

@JD (Comment 22) : My mate is an assistant ref for the game but they still havnt confirmed a venue. They wanted to do that whole township tour thing but thats proving tricky to arrange in terms of a venue.

Comment 24, posted at 25.01.17 08:02:06 by SheldonK

@SheldonK (Comment 24) : I really hope they decide on a venue where they will be able to broadcast the match, I’m very keen to see how we will line up.

Comment 25, posted at 25.01.17 09:03:28 by Quintin

Our first home game is the 11th March,So why are they screwing around with this game ,play it at home ,its an absolute no brainer its not as if the team is in danger of being over exposed.
Also give the boys a full dress rehearsal for the two away games, play it under full match conditions.
Playing in an unnatural venue turns it into a novelty game and removes a lot of accountability from it..

Comment 26, posted at 25.01.17 09:22:27 by The hound

@Quintin (Comment 25) : I very much doubt it will be broadcast to be honest

Comment 27, posted at 25.01.17 09:27:20 by SheldonK

@The hound (Comment 26) : I also thought it was a no brainer to just play it at Kings Park, apparently the field may not be ready or something to that extent. They may change their minds if cant find a venue though, but last i heard it was Kwamashu or Clermont

Comment 28, posted at 25.01.17 09:28:36 by SheldonK

@SheldonK (Comment 28) : How can the field not be ready,shit whatever state its must be better than a township pitch.
If thats the asa then they must ave dug up last years rich and completely replanted it.

Comment 29, posted at 25.01.17 10:14:58 by The hound

Sorry for bad typing misplaced my reading glasses.

Comment 30, posted at 25.01.17 10:16:44 by The hound

@The hound (Comment 29) : Yeh i dont know the exact details just what ive heard from my mate thats running touch for the game. Apparently Kings Park was never mentioned as a possible venue

Comment 31, posted at 25.01.17 10:17:58 by SheldonK

@SheldonK (Comment 31) : You would think they would jump at the oppourtunity to get back to work doing what they are paid to do, provide top class rugby as a business venture.
But they still think like an old amateur colonial rugby club filled with ONF and ODF in blazers

Comment 32, posted at 25.01.17 10:30:59 by The hound

@The hound (Comment 32) : Definitely a missed opportunity, and how many of those have we seen in recent years. Could have played the game after having the Sharks fun day thereby drawing a crowd and being a good start to the year. Oh well maybe next year…

@SheldonK (Comment 33) : yep they have a golden opportunity to launch the Teichman era on a positive note, they could even have had a free game at Kings Park.
They are going to play the game here so get as many people as possible behind the team, by giving them a taste of the real experience with a full dress rehearsal.

Comment 35, posted at 25.01.17 10:59:35 by The hound

@Uli Boelie (Comment 34) : All those CC qualifiers should be played at Woodburn

The prime objective for the season should be to get as many fans back to the game as possible.
While all the other venues are nice to haves when your home ground is over subscribed, last season ‘s attendance says they are not.
If we are staying at Kings Park we need to set out on a mission to get it back to being one of the world’s greatest sporting experiences that it used to be.

Comment 38, posted at 25.01.17 11:55:37 by The hound

@The hound (Comment 38) : Very fair point. What do you think attendance will be like for the French test?

Comment 39, posted at 25.01.17 12:12:20 by SheldonK

@SheldonK (Comment 39) : Probably sell out, French /Bok games in Durban are always special,maybe we can get a bit of nostalgia going and bring on the rain.

Comment 40, posted at 25.01.17 12:32:44 by The hound

@SheldonK (Comment 39) : Well if I could jump in on that, seeing that the Boks aren’t really the favorite rugby team in South Africa atm I can’t really see it being sold out especially if we lose the 1st Test at Loftus.

Comment 41, posted at 25.01.17 12:36:22 by Quintin

@The hound (Comment 40) : Rain in Durban during rugby…that never happens haha Im not sure which game in the series is in Durban but i feel there could still be a negative sentiment regarding the Boks…but guess it depends how Super rugby goes, the squad chosen etc

Comment 42, posted at 25.01.17 12:47:53 by SheldonK

@SheldonK (Comment 39) : Since 1967 France have met the Boks 6 times at Kings Park and three times it has ended in a draw

Comment 43, posted at 25.01.17 12:48:22 by The hound

@The hound (Comment 43) : Now that i didnt know, very interesting. No wonder some Frenchmen like to stay behind…